Another double for Williams; Jos 16th

Published on 07 July 2003 by Huub Rothengatter

Williams has won their second consecutive 1-2 in the French Grand Prix. Ralf Schumacher led the race from start to finish without any threat from other drivers. Jos Verstappen had a very tough race, he came 16th.

Another win for Ralf Schumacher

After the start not a lot changed in their grid positions. Both Williams drivers had a good start, Michael Schumacher however had to give up his third place to Kimi Raikkonen. Jos Verstappen started from last row - Justin Wilson from the pits - but neither were able to gain any places. Jos managed to overtake both Jordans and Frentzen's Sauber further on in the first lap. Rubens Barrichello spun in the last corner, this meant Jos was 15th. That all Jos could do, due to his pitstop strategy. He was the first driver to go into the pits for a regular stop, after that he was not able to regain position.


Jos overtakes Frentzen in lap 1

Between 15th and 18th laps it was clear who had chosen which startegy; almost everyone had a 3-stopper. Last year it was a 2 stop race but this year, due to the new qualifying system and the changes to the last corner which meant that you won't loose as much time in the pits, it seemed that 3 stops was the way to go. Only Rubens Barrichello opted for a two stop strategy.

During the first regular stops David Coulthard gained a lot by taking over Michael Schumacher's fourth position while in the pits. The next laps it seemed that was how it would be a Williams 1-2 and a McLaren 3-4. Unfortunately this was not their luck. During the last pitstops Michael Schumacher managed to get to third. Coulthard's pitstop went totally wrong; the first fuel rig didn't work properly, the guy with the lollypop wasn't paying attention and send DC off while refuelling was still ongoing. No one got hurt though.



Jos Verstappen's last laps were troublesome; one of the wheelnuts had come undone and one of his exhausts was broken. This prevented him to overtake his team mate and had no choice but to finish last. Only four drivers retired from the race: both Renault drivers and Jordan's Fisichella with engine problems, Jenson Button had to stop due to fuel shortage.

Afterwards Jos commented: "I can be short about this race - it didn't go well. The tyres were not good - especially my second set. On top of that I had some problems at the end of the race. What we achieved was all we could. In the beginning of the race it went well, I overtook quite a few drivers in the first few corners, I was 15th. No one else had overtaken so many cars during the race. During my last laps the car went well. My very last lap was fastest of the race." Jos has more faith in the next Grand Prix at Silverstone. "We will be better there. We knew we would face tough races on the Nurburgring and Magny Cours but Silverstone will be better for us."